Page 63 of Forget Me Not

Reed

Present Day

I feel like my reality is slipping away for the second time in my life. This can’t be right. She can’t mean what she’s saying.

“No, Cooper. You were confused. You told me yourself, you were on tons of meds. You were in shock. It would have been easy for Gun to swoop in and take advantage of your vulnerability.”

She bites her lip so hard it’s turning bright red. Tears are cascading down her pale cheeks and I know this is hurting her as much as it’s killing me. “I’m so sorry,” she gasps, in between silent sobs. “I was so scared and lost, and Gun is my family. I just wanted to go home. I just wanted...”

“Gun,” I finish the sentence for her. “I get it.” I take a long pull of air. “What about now?”

“What?” She looks confused.

“Who do you want now, Cooper?”

“I...I,” she stammers.

“That answers that question.” I drop my chin to my chest, defeated.

“You can’t just ask me something like that, Reed. Not when I’m being buried under memories of the most traumatic time in my life. Losing you was the hardest thing I ever went through,” she cries.

“Then why are you so willing to do it again?” I demand. “You would rather keep a blind eye to all the underhanded shit Gun’s been doing all these years to keep you close than open your eyes to see it even if it clears the path for us to move forward. Together.”

Her cheeks flush red with anger. “He’s the one I can count on. Not you!” she shouts, startling all of us with her explosive outburst. “All these years I thought you couldn’t remember me, but you could. You just couldn’t stand up to your family long enough to believe it. You talk about fighting for me, and doing whatever it takes to be together, but you don’t really know what that means. It’s not always pretty. Or romantic. And definitely doesn’t sound like it’s plucked from a fucking fairy tale. It’s messy. And sometimes, really, really ugly. But it doesn’t matter, when it’s real, nothing matters except showing up anyway. No matter who tells you not to. Or what the consequences might be, you show up. Without fail. You fucking show up!” She sucks in a gust of air through her teeth, jaws clenched together tightly. “You didn’t come running back to me, Reed. You were just running away fromher. You’re lost. And my heart, it breaks for you. But I can’t help you find what you’re looking for. I can’t tell you who to be. That’s something you have to figure out for yourself.”

“So, that’s it?” I can’t believe this is happening. That everything is unraveling so rapidly. This morning we were getting a house, building a life, and now? “You’re just going to walk out of here? With him?”

She wipes her face with both palms, drags her fingers through her hair, pulling it back and tucking strands behind her ears. “I’m walking out of here on my own. Because I’m lost too. And it’s about damn time I find myself.”

She takes a step toward me, bridging the gap just enough to push up on her toes and kiss my cheek. “Goodbye, Reed.” Then she turns and walks out, ignoring Gun completely. But I know the difference now. He’s the one she’s going to see again. I’m not.

The front door closes, leaving just Gun and me behind. I suddenly hate this house. It held every dream I ever had this morning and now it’s the pit of death as far as I’m concerned.

“You knew this would happen,” I say, my voice devoid of all emotions. I’m too numb from the shock of losing her to feel anything yet.

“I knew it could,” he admits grimly, “I knew if you pushed her too hard, she’d push back.”

“Well, you won. You got what you wanted. I’m out of the picture again,” I cross my arms over my chest, straightening up. I’m not going to be a sore loser. “Guess you must be feeling pretty happy right about now.”

Gun stares at me, a blank expression hiding his thoughts completely. Then, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a worn, brown leather wallet. I watch him slide two fingers into the pocket holding his license and return them into view holding a small piece of paper that’s been folded multiple times. Carefully, he undoes the paper and places it down on the kitchen counter beside me.

“You know nothing about me, Reed McAlister.” His brows arch high and his jaw tightens. “Nothing at all.” Then he walks out. No triumphant smugness. No sign of a winner at all.

Curiosity gets the better of me and I reach for the note.

It’s a check.

A cashier’s check.

For a hundred grand.

Which he never cashed.

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Cooper

The sound of my own door slamming shut behind me startles me. I’m back at my place. Somehow, even though I don’t remember it, I walked myself back here.

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